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Pneumococcal Disease
Did you know...
pneumococcal disease can cause meningitis, pneumonia, or a blood infection?
Which adults need the pneumococcal vaccine?
- All adults age 65 and older.
- Any adult who smokes or is an alcoholic.
- Adults younger than 65 with illnesses of the lungs, heart, liver, or kidney; asthma; diabetes; a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS; cancer; or a damaged or missing spleen.
What happens when someone gets pneumococcal disease?
- Pneumococcal disease can cause pneumonia, meningitis, or blood infection.
- People with pneumococcal disease may have a combination of high fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, stiff neck, disorientation, and sensitivity to light.
Why is the pneumococcal vaccine important?
- In its worst forms, meningitis and blood infection, pneumococcal disease kills 15 to 37 percent of people infected.
- The vaccine protects against the bacteria responsible for 75 percent of all pneumococcal meningitis and blood infection cases in adults.
FAQ: I was told to get both influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. Can I get them at the same time?
Yes. These vaccines can be given at the same time, but in different arms. In fact, pneumococcal disease can be a complication of influenza, so getting both vaccines is a smart choice. For most adults, the pneumococcal vaccine is a one-time vaccine. |
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